Intense heat wave continues unabated across nation

Jaipur/Lucknow : Intense heat wave continued unabated across the nation with Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan becoming latest to come under the grip of soaring temperatures after Odisha and Telangana.

Normal life was thrown out of gear in Rajasthan as maximum temperature crossed 42 degree Celsius at most places, with Barmer registering 44.5 degree Celsius. Jaisalmer and Bundi also recorded maximum temperature of 44 degree, while day temperatures remained around 43 degrees at several other places.

According to reports, the Border Security Force (BSF) has asked its jawans posted along the border in Rajasthan to drink a glass of water after every half an hour.

In Uttar Pradesh, the temperatures hovered around 41 degree Celsius in most parts of the state, with Banda recording 45.2 degree Celsius yesterday.

Telangana, Odisha and parts of Andhra Pradesh are already reeling under scorching heat. Bhubaneswar recorded 45.3 degrees Celsius on Thursday, though day-time temperature in some parts of the state dropped marginally.

Western and interior Odisha towns Sonepur and Talcher continued to boil at 45.4 degrees.

As many as 119 sunstroke deaths have been reported from different parts of the state, as of Friday.

Meanwhile, the death toll due to sun stroke in Telangana has gone up to 137, with 15 deaths reported on Wednesday alone. Worst drought affected Medak district reported 34 deaths, while Mahabubnagar reported 64. (ANI)